Hokies stumble vs. North Carolina for first loss

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling was upended Friday night in Cassell Coliseum by 12th-ranked North Carolina 23-10 for its first dual meet loss of the 2019-20 season.
 
The loss snaps a streak of eight-straight dual wins and the No. 3 Hokies fall to 8-1 on the season, 5-1 against ranked opponents. Collin Gerardi, Hunter Bolen and John Borst picked up wins and Bolen scored bonus points, but it was not enough, and the Tar Heels leave Blacksburg with a victory.  
 
MATCH NOTES

• Collin Gerardi won his 11th match of the season and seventh dual match with a 4-3 decision over Jaime Hernandez. Gerardi scored a takedown in the first period which proved to be the difference.
• Despite not getting the result, freshman Bryce Andonian had a scrappy showing against the second-ranked 149-pound wrestler in the country. Andonian had four escapes in the match and Austin O'Connor won it 10-4.
• Hunter Bolen was the only Tech wrestler to pick up bonus points Friday night. Bolen had five takedowns against Joey Mazzara and took the match by major decision. Bolen is now 19-1 on the season and 9-0 in dual matches.
• John Borst racked up another decision, winning 5-2 over Andrew Gunning. Borst had a takedown in the first and didn't allow much from Gunning throughout the match. Borst improves to 16-5 this season.

 
BOX SCORE
#12 North Carolina 23, #3 Virginia Tech 10
125: Joey Melendez (UNC) dec. Joey Prata (VT), 8-7
133: Collin Gerardi (VT) dec. Jaime Hernandez (UNC), 4-3
141: #12 Zach Sherman (UNC) dec. #18 Mitch Moore (VT), 5-2
149: #2 Austin O'Connor (UNC) dec. Bryce Andonian (VT), 10-4
157: #19 A.C. Headlee (UNC) dec. #18 B.C. LaPrade (VT), 3-2
165: #17 Kennedy Monday (UNC) TF #3 David McFadden (VT), 21-6 (6:21)
174: Clay Lautt (UNC) dec. Cody Hughes (VT), 4-1
184: #2 Hunter Bolen (VT) MD Joey Mazzara (UNC), 13-4
197: Brandon Whitman (UNC) dec. Stanley Smeltzer (VT), 6-4
285: #17 John Borst (VT) dec. Andrew Gunning (UNC), 5-2
 
UP NEXT
The Hokies head to Charlottesville next Friday for their Commonwealth Clash dual against the Virginia Cavaliers. The match is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale through the University of Virginia. Virginia Tech will then head to Norfolk, Va. for a dual against Old Dominion on Sunday, Feb. 2.  Gallery: (1/24/2020) 2020 WRESTLING vs. NORTH CAROLINA